Katia — 2023

Tropical Storm Katia formed from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on 29 August 2023 and developed a closed circulation just west of the Cabo Verde Islands on 30 August. Convection organized enough for designation as a tropical depression at 1800 UTC 31 August, and it became Tropical Storm Katia on 0000 UTC 2 September. Katia moved generally west-northwestward across the eastern Atlantic and weakened to a depression by 0000 UTC 4 September, becoming a remnant low and dissipating several days later well east of the Lesser Antilles. Katia did not make landfall and produced no coastal watches or warnings. There were no ship reports or land-based observations of tropical-storm-force winds associated with the cyclone, and it did not directly impact any populated land areas. The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 50 knots (about 58 mph) around 1800 UTC 2 September, with an estimated minimum central pressure of 998 millibars. At peak it was a moderate tropical storm (below hurricane strength). There were no reported storm surge measurements or notable rainfall totals tied to Katia in the report, since the system remained over the open eastern Atlantic and did not directly affect land. No coastal surge observations or local rainfall maxima were recorded in association with the storm. No casualties or damage were reported. The National Hurricane Center noted there were no reports of direct fatalities or reported property damage from Katia. Katia’s formation was well anticipated: the NHC’s Tropical Weather Outlooks had identified the area of genesis as a low-probability disturbance up to 144 hours before formation, and most longer‑range genesis areas captured the eventual development location. Official track forecast errors were slightly above recent means at some lead times, while official intensity forecasts generally performed as well as or better than recent averages.